Death of Noynoy Aquino, former Philippine president

A Holy Mass marking the first death anniversary of the late President Benigno Aquino III will be held at the Church of Gesu, Ateneo de Manila University on June 24, 10:00 a.m., the Facebook page of the late chief executive announces.

Former President Benigno Aquino III is laid to rest beside his parents, democracy icons Benigno Aquino Jr. and Cory Aquino, at the Manila Memorial Park.

The AFP chief presents the flag to the Aquino family.

The Aquino family blesses the urn containing the ashes of the former president.

The urn which contains the ashes of former President Aquino arrives in front of the tomb where the late president will be laid to rest next to his parents.

The funeral march for former President Aquino begins.

The urn containing the ashes of former President Aquino arrives at Manila Memorial Park.

The urn containing the ashes of former President Aquino is now on the way to Manila Memorial Park.

Firetrucks are giving a water salute to the convoy, which is being greeted by people wearing yellow and flashing “Laban” signs.

Urn carrying the ashes of former President Aquino leaves the Church of the Gesú. His cremains would immediately head to the Manila Memorial Park where he would be laid to rest next to his parents, democracy icons Ninoy and Cory.

Crowd breaks into a long applause after Ballsy Aquino-Cruz's message and gives a standing ovation for the former president.

Funeral mass for former President Aquino starts.

Vice President Leni Robredo arrives for the former president's funeral mass.

The urn containing the ashes of former President Aquino arrive at the Church of the Gesú, greeted by the tolling of bells.

Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, one of the spokespersons of the controversial anti-communist task force of President Duterte, arrives for the funeral mass of former President Aquino.

Preparations ongoing at the Church of the Gesú in the Ateneo campus in Quezon City. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. for former president Aquino before he is laid to rest beside his parents, democracy icons Ninoy and Cory Aquino.

The Aquino family brings the urn containing the ashes of the former president to Ateneo de Manila University. There will be a scheduled public viewing on Friday.

US President Joe Biden sends condolences over the death of former President Benigno Aquino III, whom he calls "a valued friend and partner to the United States."

He adds that the former Philippine president's "steadfast commitment to advancing peace, upholding the rule of law, and driving economic growth for all Filipinos, while taking bold steps to promote the rules-based international order, leaves a remarkable legacy at home and abroad that will endure for years to come."

There will be a public viewing of the urn containing former President Benigno Aquino III's remains at the Church of the Gesu at the Ateneo de Manila University  from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 25.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday night, announced 10 days of national mourning for Aquino. Philippine flags at government buildings will fly at half-mast from June 24 to July 3.

There will be a one-day public viewing of the late president Noynoy Aquino's urn at the Church of the Gesu in the Ateneo de Manila University, lawyer Abi Valte, former deputy presidential spokesperson says.

"In adherence to the regulations of the IATF for COVID-19, the Aquino family enjoins everyone who intends to personally pay their last respects to the former President,to follow the health protocols & social distancing measures that will be implemented by ADMU in coordination with the authorities," Valte says on Twitter.

The public viewing will be livestreamed through the Radyo Katipunan 87.9 FM Facebook page. 

Official Bulletin on the Public Viewing

In appreciation for the outpouring of prayers and sympathies for the late Former President Benigno S. Aquino III, there will be a one-day public viewing of President Aquino’s urn at the Church of the Gesu inside the ADMU in QC.

— Abi Valte (@Abi_Valte) June 24, 2021

The remains of former president Noynoy Aquino has been cremated, his sister Kris says.

His remains will be buried beside their parents, former senator Ninoy and former president Cory.

"It will be that simple. We hope you understand...we did not think it would happen any time soon," Kris says.

President Rodrigo Duterte expresses his sympathies to his predecessor's sisters Ballsy, Pinky, Viel and Kris as he joins the Filipino people in mourning the death of former President Noynoy Aquino.

"Let us all take this opportunity to unite in prayer and set aside our differences as we pay respects to a leader who has given his best to serve the Filipino people," Duterte says in a statement.

Duterte adds that the Aquino family's "legacy of offering their lives for the cause of democracy will forever remain etched in our hearts."

READ: Statement of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on the passing of former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III. pic.twitter.com/Sy91ULEoS8

— Presidential Communications Operations Office (@pcoogov) June 24, 2021

Singer Jim Paredes says that the remains of former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III will be cremated after the Holy Mass on Thursday.

"Tomorrow ashes will be brought to Ateneo for a religious service," he says on Twitter.

Opposition Sen. Leila de Lima mourns the passing of the former chief executive.

"Sobrang napakabigat sa loob. During these very difficult times, our nation has lost a great leader. A leader who served with all his heart, not just to continue the legacy of his parents, but to also offer his life to lead our nation on a righteous path," says De Lima in a handwritten dispatch from her cell.

"For me and for the millions of Filipinos he served and inspired, Sir PNoy has lived a fulfilled and selfless life. Kung mayroon man akong pinanghihinayangan, ‘yun ay ang hindi na niya nasilayan ang muling pagbawi at pagkakaisa ng Pilipino para bumalik sa tuwid at makatarungang landas na kaniyang ipinaglaban," the lady senator adds.

The Aquino sisters announce that former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III  "peacefully died in his sleep" at 6:30 a.m. on June 24, 2021 due to renal disease secondary to diabetes.

The Zamboanga City government joins the entire nation in mourning the demise of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III Thursday, Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar says.

Salazar, a party-mate of the late president, highlighted that the Aquini administration helped with the rehabilitation of areas affected by the 2013 siege with the allocation of P3.7 billion to the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction (Z3R), a project that is now 80-percent complete and has led to the return of more than 100,000 displaced by the conflict.

Aquino held office in the city for 21 days while government forces fought members of the Moro National Liberation Front faction headed by Nur Misuari in September 2013, the mayor also says.
 
Aquino also imposed a moratorium in 2010 on the transfer of regional offices of all departments and agencies from Zamboanga City to Pagadian City and prevented the displacement of hundreds of families of government employees.

"We thank him profusely for the love and concern he showed to Zamboanga City. Miles de gracias por su dedicao servicio na Republica de Filipinas llevando el legacio del su tata, estaba Senador Benigno Aquino y su nana, estaba Presidente Corazon Aquino. Ele una persona que tiene grande amor y dedicacion para na entero pais. (A thousand thanks for his dedicated service to the Republic of the Philippines, carrying the legacy of his father, the late Senator Benigno Aquino, and his mother, former President Corazon Aquino. He was a person who had greater love and dedication for the entire nation)," Salazar says. — The STAR/Roel Pareño

The Department of Foreign Affairs says they are joining the nation in mourning the death of the former president. 

"During his term as the 15th President of the Philippine Republic, President Aquino elevated the country’s conduct of foreign relations, steered foreign policy towards a principled direction that earned international respect and esteem, and invigorated the foreign service with a collective sense of patriotism, commitment to service, and professionalism," the DFA says in a statement.

"He has left a remarkable legacy on our country’s foreign policy and national history," it adds.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros remembers the former president as a "dear friend" and "brother".

"His remarkable focus on the hallmarks of democracy and public service are solid foundations that our leaders can build upon. To honor his legacy is to continue the fight against corruption and reaffirm our fundamental freedoms and human rights," Hontiveros says in a statement.

"Noy was someone who tried to make the most and the best of everything that is good. I am very proud to call him my President," she adds.

Former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales grieves the passing of the "brave" former president.

"It was a great honor to have served as Ombudsman when he was our President and honesty, integrity and the rule of law guided our government. He was brave. He went after powerful people who did wrong," Carpio-Morales says.

"But he [Aquino] was fair and allowed justice to prevail even to his discredit. He was an example of decency and earned us international respect," she adds.

Former senator Bam Aquino, says his heart is broken over his cousin's departure.

"Sa mga susunod na oras, maraming sasabihin tungkol sa kanya—['yung] iba totoo, iba hindi. Pero ito lang ang masasabi ko—lahat binigay niya para sa Pilipino. Wala siyang tinira," Bam says in a statement.

Sen. Imee Marcos extends her condolences to the family of the former president, whom she describes as her "classmate" in Congress from 1998 to 2007.

“I will always treasure the memories of our long years together as freshmen legislators and members of a tiny opposition,” the lady solon says.

“For beyond politics and much public acrimony, I knew Noynoy as a kind and simple soul,” Marcos adds. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao  

Veteran rights lawyer Chel Diokno mourns the passing of the former president.

"You served our country well, uplifted the lives of many Filipinos, and gave us a reason to dream of a better future," Diokno writes on Facebook.

"Rest In Peace and enjoy heavenly bliss, which you richly deserve," he adds.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen mourns the death of the former president.

"He was a kind man, driven by his passion to serve our people, diligent in his duties," Leonen writes. "I saw him carry his title with dignity and integrity."

Cesar Purisima, Aquino's finance secretary, offered a prayer for his late friend and former president.

"Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sharing PNoy with us and giving us the opportunity to help him in his mission."

"Thank you for loving him and for giving him grace and compassion. We are humbled by the strength you gave him especially knowing how difficult his life's path has been. We now pray that you give him eternal rest and to give his loved ones strength in this difficult time. We pray in Jesus' name," Purisima wrote.

Sources close to former President Aquino's family confirm his passing at age 61.

Prior to his death, he was undergoing dialysis and suffering from diabetes and lung issues, a family friend says.

FULL STORY: Noynoy Aquino, 15th Philippine president, dead at 61

Rumors of Aquino's death have not yet been officially confirmed by his family. But ABS-CBN cites a family member who asked not to be named in announcing his passing.

The cause of ex-president Aquino's hospitalization is not yet known.

His former officials, Rene Almendras and Mar Roxas were seen arriving at Capitol Medical Center, radio DZBB reports.

Former President Noynoy Aquino was rushed to the Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City, where journalists are currently gathering following reports of his hospitalization. (File photo by Philstar.com/AJ Bolando)